reclaim these streets

These are all the #ReclaimTheseStreets events happening this weekend

Vigils are being held across the country

| UPDATED

Following the disappearance of Sarah Everard a number of vigil events called Reclaim These Streets have been organised for this weekend.

Last week Sarah Everard disappeared on her walk home from a friend’s house in Clapham. A police officer was arrested as part of the investigation and yesterday the police said he was arrested for kidnap and then later murder, as well as a separate offence of indecent exposure. Last night police uncovered unindentified human remains in a woods in Kent.

After an outcry on social media yesterday at the lack of safety for women on the streets a number of events have been set up to demand safety on the streets for women.

In a Facebook post organisers of Reclaim These Streets said women should be safe regardless of circumstances and will be holding the vigil for Sarah as well as all women who feel threatened.

They said: “We believe that streets should be safe for women, regardless of what you wear, where you live or what time of day or night it is. We shouldn’t have to wear bright colours when we walk home and clutch our keys in our fists to feel safe.

“It’s wrong that the response to violence against women requires women to behave differently. In Clapham, police told women not to go out at night this week. Women are not the problem.

“We’ve all been following the tragic case of Sarah Everard over the last week. This is a vigil for Sarah, but also for all women who feel unsafe, who go missing from our streets and who face violence every day.”

The original event will be held this Saturday 13th March at 6pm at Clapham Common bandstand. They ask for people to bring a light to remember those who have been lost and though the event is about and for women, everyone is welcome to attend.

Following the original event post, many others have been set up around the country including vigils in Cambridge and Liverpool. If you do attend these events remember to wear a mask and observe social distancing rules. The organisers also advise downloading the NHS Test and Trace app and turning on your bluetooth.

The Clapham Common vigil is currently banned, however organisers are appealing with the High Court today to have this decision overturned. Check your local event regularly to make sure it is going ahead as many are still awaiting approval from local council and police.

These are all the Reclaim These Streets happening this weekend:

Clapham Common

The original event will be held on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at the Clapham Common bandstand.

Birmingham

For those in Birmingham the vigil will be held on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at Victoria Square.

Bournemouth

For those in Bournemouth a vigil will be held on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at Bournemouth Town Square.

Brighton

Brighton’s event will be held on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at Valley Gardens. The event is being hosted by Clap Back Club and Anti-Harassment Club.

Bristol

Bristol’s vigil will take place on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at College Green.

Cambridge

Cambridge’s Reclaim These Streets event will take place on Saturday 13th March at 6pm on King’s Parade.

Cardiff

Cardiff will also be taking part with a silent vigil at 6pm on Saturday 13th March outside the Senedd, Cardiff Bay.

Chelmsford

Chelmsford will be holding a vigil at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at Shire Hall.

Cheltenham

Cheltenham’s event will take place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at the bandstand in Montpellier Gardens.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace’s event is taking place on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at Crystal Palace Park.

Dorking

For those in Dorking the vigil will be taking place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at Meadowbank Recreation Ground.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh will be holding two Reclaim These Streets events. They will both take place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March. One will be based at Scottish Parliament Building which will see survivors sharing stories and the second at St Andrews Square which will be a space for a quiet vigil focused on reflection.

Folkestone

Folkestone is hosting a vigil at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at Radnor Park.

Glasgow

Glasgow will be hosting an online vigil on Saturday 13th March which can be accessed via this Facebook event.

Hackney

For those in Hackney a vigil will take place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at London Fields Lido.

Ipswich

Ipswich’s event will take place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at Cornhill outside the town hall.

Leeds

Leeds will be hosting a Reclaim The Night event at 6pm on Saturday 13th March outside the Parkinson Building at the University of Leeds.

Leicester

For those in Leicester a vigil will take place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at Leicester Clock Tower in the town centre.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s event will be held on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church.

Margate

Margate’s event will be held on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at the Main Sands Steps.

Newquay

For those in Cornwall, Newquay will be hosting a vigil at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at The Barrowfields. The event is being organised by the Women’s Centre Cornwall.

Nottingham

Nottingham’s event will be held at Saturday 13th March at 6pm at Brian Clough Statue in Old Market Square.

Sheffield

For those in Sheffield a vigil will take place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March on Devonshire Green.

Shoreham by Sea

For those in Shoreham a vigil will take place at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at Coronation Green.

Twickenham

A vigil will be held in Twickenham at 6pm on Saturday 13th March at Arthur’s on Twickenham Green. The MP for Twickenham will be in attendance.

Walthamstow

Walthamstow is hosting a vigil on Saturday 13th March at 6pm in Walthamstow Town Square.

Whitstable

Whitstable is hosting a vigil on Saturday 13th March at 6pm at the Whitstable Library.

Worthing

For those in Worthing a vigil will be held at 6pm on Saturday 13th March outside Worthing Pier.

This list is being updated. 

Featured image credit via Michelle Ding on Unsplash  

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